fulsome

adjective

ˈfu̇l-səm How to pronounce fulsome (audio)
Definition of fulsomenext
1
as in sickening
overly or insincerely flattering the player's fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team

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2
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ugly
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the author perpetuates some truly fulsome stereotypes in her novel

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fulsome Jefferson could be quite fulsome on this point. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 DeSantis, who signed the law in the Republican stronghold of The Villages in Central Florida, was joined by several other Republicans who touted its provisions, warned about potential threats to election integrity, and offered fulsome praise of the governor. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026 As Warsh interpreted it, modern central banking is not only about setting policy but also about presenting outcomes as the result of fulsome deliberation. — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026 Johnson, an ally of the Jacksons, wrote a fulsome tribute that nodded to Jackson’s ascent in Chicago, from building up the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization to founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fulsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fulsome
  1. sickening
  2. generous
  3. ugly
  4. gushy
  5. charitable
  6. disgusting
  7. abundant
  8. awful
Adjective
  • Carter’s sickening spree ultimately came to an end after he was arrested by Detective Pete Willis.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Months later, with vaccination rates still dangerously low, measles broke out, sickening thousands.
    — Ali Swenson, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sickening
Adjective
  • But the attendance announced by USC — 51,144 — admittedly felt generous.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The upcoming docuseries showcases a raw record of his life from the generous, vulnerable and wisecracking side of Perry to new details about his offscreen battles with drugs and alcohol, according to the logline.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of generous
Adjective
  • The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Except for the unfettered devotion in the latter is replaced by swooping strings and a gushy chorus that merely offer an antiseptic veneer.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • The announcement may come as a shock for country fans who have followed the couple through their sappy podcast appearances and gushy acceptance speeches.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of gushy
Adjective
  • Few people are as involved in as many different charitable endeavors as Andrea Massey-Farrell.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The funding marks the first substantial philanthropic pledge toward the mayor’s plan, which city leaders hope to pay for by using a combination of tax dollars and charitable contributions.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Dry grass and brush remain abundant fuels, leaving parts of Texas vulnerable to new fires even as crews work to contain existing blazes.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Models won’t create value just because data is clean or abundant.
    — Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of abundant
Adjective
  • Cyber stocks late last year and into 2026 were being lumped into the awful enterprise software trade.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Burke’s squad dragged itself off the mat after an awful (yet at the time, typical) start to the season to go unbeaten in 12 of 13 matches down the stretch and narrowly miss the playoffs.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of awful

Browse Nearby Words

fulminations
fulsome
fumble
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Cite this Entry

“Fulsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fulsome. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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